The Art of Gentleness

“Politeness” has been associated with the gentleness of an aristocracy that no longer exists. In the years of mandatory education, we risk losing the respect, moral values, and “filotimo” that make us stand out.

We operate in an environment without humanity, respect, morality, and dignity, and the responsibility is ours.

We see it in immoral politicians and egocentric citizens. We see it on the street, in bullying, and in relationships.

The re-introduction of good manners to young children is not old-fashioned, but an intelligent and important ethical investment for our daily lives and our future.

In our families and societies, young people are not simply born but shaped.

Courtesy, the obvious yielding of a seat, facilitating the disabled, protecting the weak, or concepts such as civility and elegance, small formalities and ceremonial protocols such as waiting and toasting at the table, patience

in dialogue, saying “excuse me,” “thank you,” “please,” and welcoming others.

How did politeness disappear among us?

No one can claim that “in the old days” people were “good” and that today they have “deteriorated.”

The fact that quality of life, beauty, respect, joy, and honour are intangible concepts makes them vulnerable to being lost.

Proud people like us should not lose their politeness and dignity.

We welcome our tourists, but at the same time forget to show the same form of courtesy to our fellow citizens. However, we still have time to become “tender with each other, as our sorrows are the same.”

Fotini Androulaki
Publisher, Volta